2019 Mosconi Cup -- 3 USA spots set

Bob Jewett

Bob Jewett

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From the front page:

Ruijsink Returns As Coach; Van Boening & Woodward Confirmed For Team USA
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picture credit: JP Parmentier/Matchroom Multi Sport

Seems like three good choices to me.
 
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Let’s hope the powers that be can cut through the political b.s., and add Bergman and Dechaine this year. Sure, USA won it without them last year, but there’s no reason our best shouldn’t be on the squad.
 
By my reckoning, Billy Thorpe has been a solid performer for two years now and should be an obvious choice once again.

In my opinion, the other two spots should be up for grabs based on 2019 performance, especially at the US Open 9-ball a few weeks from now.
 
benny-the-blade said:
Let’s hope the powers that be can cut through the political b.s., and add Bergman and Dechaine this year. Sure, USA won it without them last year, but there’s no reason our best shouldn’t be on the squad.
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Obviously, you and many, many others feel they are both top five in America, but unless they earn a spot by excelling in competition, they shouldn't be selected. Both of them have every opportunity to shine in the big events on the 2019 pool calendar.
 
And it was also announced that Jeremy Jones would again be Team USA Co-Captain.:cool:
 
JAM said:
And it was also announced that Jeremy Jones would again be Team USA Co-Captain.:cool:
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I like that. Billy Thorpe is a locking my book. Tyler Styler played great. I would like to see him have another chance. My question is why change winner?
 
benny-the-blade said:
Let’s hope the powers that be can cut through the political b.s., and add Bergman and Dechaine this year. Sure, USA won it without them last year, but there’s no reason our best shouldn’t be on the squad.
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Unless, their not our best.

Mike D has proven time and time again, he's not MC material. Bergman,Thorpe,Styer,Hunter, Duel, even Tommy T, would be a better choice.
 
benny-the-blade said:
Let’s hope the powers that be can cut through the political b.s., and add Bergman and Dechaine this year. Sure, USA won it without them last year, but there’s no reason our best shouldn’t be on the squad.
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Tyler and Billy will be back...only one spot, maybe Bergman.
 
jason said:
I like that. Billy Thorpe is a locking my book. Tyler Styler played great. I would like to see him have another chance. My question is why change winner?
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Europe won year after year after year and never sent the same team to consecutive Mosconi Cups. In Europe, there is a point system by which you must earn your spot, so they show up with five in-form players every year.

If you don't leave some spots on Team USA up for grabs, you demotivate those who aspire to be on the team. You also devalue events that would normally be critical toward Mosconi qualification and thereby compromise the importance of the 2019 American pool calendar.

I'd be thoroughly disgusted if it were announced that the entire 2018 team is coming back regardless of how they play in 2019.
 
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Tooler said:
Unless, their not our best.

Mike D has proven time and time again, he's not MC material. Bergman,Thorpe,Styer,Hunter, Duel, even Tommy T, would be a better choice.
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I don’t think Dechaine would play because he’s part-time now, but I think your statement is a little unfair. No US player has been MC material until this past year. Skyler played like a dog in 2017, for example.
 
Due to the lack of a professional organization in North America, in particular, the United States, the existing lot of professional male players has dwindled down to a drip. Let's face it. We just don't have that many as we used to.

Back in the '80s and even '90s, there were 30 or 40 American male players who would perform well in the Mosconi Cup. Today, by my observation of what's out there, we have less than 10, maybe less than 5, truth be told.

Coming from me, this is going to sound odd to some. In the '80s and '90s, it was an accepted societal norm in many circles, especially the pool room, to alter one's state of consciousness at will. Many players used illegal substances to stay up and keep alert, giving them endurance for all-nighters in combat. While everybody else was sipping on H2O or sodas, one, maybe two, used alcohol when in combat to relax, while others smoked pot, had to have pot, before their matches.

Today it's all about the opioids and pills. It's an epidemic across America. Sad to say, some use the pills now to shoot pool effectively, while some others smoke pot to relax the nerves before a match. The players know who's using and who's not.

From all accounts I've heard from those in the know, Sky and Shane are clean as a whistle and do not use illegal substances or engage in alcohol or smoke pot before matches to relax. Thank goodness!

This may be one of American pool's dirty little secrets, substance abuse before and during matches, but anybody who's been to the Derby City Classic and other big pool extravaganzas know what's happening.

Again, coming from me, this may be odd to say, but I think they should test the players before selection to represent Team USA at the Mosconi Cup. I could never envision Klenti, David Alcaide, or Alex Kazakis with drugs in their system, and I don't want to see it in our players either.

I'm probably going to get heat for this post, but so be it. There, I said my piece. :smile:
 
Excuse me JAM before I post...I have to use the "restroom" first! (Comes back and types 300 wpm) :thumbup::D
 
JAM said:
Due to the lack of a professional organization in North America, in particular, the United States, the existing lot of professional male players has dwindled down to a drip. Let's face it. We just don't have that many as we used to.

Back in the '80s and even '90s, there were 30 or 40 American male players who would perform well in the Mosconi Cup. Today, by my observation of what's out there, we have less than 10, maybe less than 5, truth be told.

Coming from me, this is going to sound odd to some. In the '80s and '90s, it was an accepted societal norm in many circles, especially the pool room, to alter one's state of consciousness at will. Many players used illegal substances to stay up and keep alert, giving them endurance for all-nighters in combat. While everybody else was sipping on H2O or sodas, one, maybe two, used alcohol when in combat to relax, while others smoked pot, had to have pot, before their matches.

Today it's all about the opioids and pills. It's an epidemic across America. Sad to say, some use the pills now to shoot pool effectively, while some others smoke pot to relax the nerves before a match. The players know who's using and who's not.

From all accounts I've heard from those in the know, Sky and Shane are clean as a whistle and do not use illegal substances or engage in alcohol or smoke pot before matches to relax. Thank goodness!

This may be one of American pool's dirty little secrets, substance abuse before and during matches, but anybody who's been to the Derby City Classic and other big pool extravaganzas know what's happening.

Again, coming from me, this may be odd to say, but I think they should test the players before selection to represent Team USA at the Mosconi Cup. I could never envision Klenti, David Alcaide, or Alex Kazakis with drugs in their system, and I don't want to see it in our players either.

I'm probably going to get heat for this post, but so be it. There, I said my piece. :smile:
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A generally valid post, and both Europe and America, sadly, have those who use and abuse substances to help them at the pool table.

Although Europe and the US have this issue, the fact is that drug testing in pool is restricted to events falling under the WPA sanctioned umbrella. That includes all WPA events (Eurotour events and BCA pro events fall under WPA). As we know, Mario He was tested in association with a Eurotour event and his bad result led to his self-imposed ineligibility for the 2018 Mosconi.

... but the Mosconi is an exhibition that doesn't fall under the WPA umbrella so, at least as I understand it, drug testing is inapplicable before or after the event because players are not bound by the rules that would otherwise apply.
 
BRussell said:
I don’t think Dechaine would play because he’s part-time now, but I think your statement is a little unfair. No US player has been MC material until this past year. Skyler played like a dog in 2017, for example.
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I'm referring to his attitude toward the event, and the other players. Mike is not a team player. Never has been, never will be.... Let's get someone who appreciates the invite, AND, is respectful to the others on the team.:(
 
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